At the recently held international conference on Global South and Triangular Cooperation: Emerging Facets, organised by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) in New Delhi, Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), articulated a compelling vision for inclusive agricultural transformation driven by innovation, collaboration, and mutual learning.
Addressing a diverse gathering of policymakers, experts, and diplomats, Dr. Jat opened his remarks with a call for partnership and cooperation: “It is indeed a privilege to be part of this important conference that brings together voices and visions from across the Global South,” he said. “India’s experience in agricultural science and innovation can contribute meaningfully to South-South and triangular cooperation.”
Harnessing Diversity for Global Adaptation
Dr. Jat underlined India’s unique positioning as a microcosm of the Global South due to its immense geographic and agro-climatic diversity. “Given India’s diversity, our sub-national contexts often mirror conditions found in other countries. In many ways, Indian states or regions can serve as analogues for other developing nations.”
This diversity, he argued, enables India to serve as a testing ground for developing technology adaptation domains—frameworks that can be tailored and transferred to other countries facing similar agricultural challenges. “If we work collectively—especially here in India—we can develop adaptation frameworks and domain-specific solutions that can truly benefit the Global South.”
Millets, Gene Banks, and the Future of Food
India’s proactive steps in conservation and nutrition security were highlighted with reference to the newly established National Gene Bank, which, Dr. Jat noted, would benefit both national and international agricultural systems.
He also spotlighted the Global Centre of Excellence on Millets, housed in India, which gained prominence during the International Year of Millets. “This Centre offers an excellent platform for millet-growing countries to collaborate on research, promotion, and value chain development,” he said. “Being headquartered in India, it strengthens our ability to engage meaningfully with partners across Africa and Asia.”
Another initiative gaining momentum is the MAHARISHI Platform, announced during India’s G20 presidency, offering space for sustainable agriculture and agri-tech collaboration.
Mechanisation, Climate Resilience, and Technology Sharing
Dr. Jat identified mechanisation as a critical tool to address labour shortages and ensure timely farming operations in the face of climate uncertainties. “India’s scalable models of mechanisation can be adopted by other Global South countries facing similar constraints,” he stressed.
On climate change, he shared a remarkable insight: “Over the past three years, India has faced consecutive climatic stresses, yet our food production has not declined—it has increased. That shows the strength of science-led resilience and adaptive technologies.”
This resilience is underpinned by extensive work on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the deployment of digital innovations that empower farmers through real-time advisories, weather forecasts, and market data. India’s Digital Extension Network, for example, bridges the last-mile gap—a model that can be replicated in partner nations.
“We’ve seen growing demand for digital solutions, climate-resilient varieties, and mechanisation standards,” he noted. “These are areas where South-South partnerships can thrive.”
Strengthening India-Africa Agricultural Ties
Dr. Jat underlined India’s commitment to deepening its cooperation with African nations. Institutions like ICRISAT, headquartered in India, are central to this endeavour, focusing on dryland crops, particularly millets, and strengthening research collaborations with CGIAR and other international networks. “We are expanding collaborations to ensure that scientific excellence translates into real-world solutions for the Global South,” he said.
Nurturing Next-Generation Agripreneurs
A key segment of Dr. Jat’s speech focused on the importance of capacity building and human resource development.
“The challenges ahead are becoming more complex—climate volatility, disruptions to food systems, and emerging technologies. We must cultivate a new generation of agricultural professionals equipped with skills in AI, quantum computing, and data science.”
He stressed that knowledge gaps, rather than just technological ones, are a major contributor to low productivity. Addressing this requires a reimagined, digitally empowered extension system that brings scientific knowledge directly to the farmer’s field.
“We need a fresh, media-savvy extension system—and that’s where digital transformation plays a pivotal role.”
One World, Shared Future
Dr. Jat concluded with a resonant message of global solidarity: “There are numerous areas where we, as part of the Global South, can collaborate more deeply. The vision of ‘One World’ is not just aspirational—it is practical, achievable, and essential.”
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